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The vast majority of Sri Lankans approve
President Rajapakse's policy on the war: CPA survey
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations Office at Geneva
17th December 2007
An opinion poll recently conducted by the survey research unit of the
Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) reveals that the overwhelming majority
of the Sri Lankan people are satisfied with the way the President Rajapakse
is conducting the war.
On the one hand, the survey shows that the majority of the country's
main ethnic group (Sinhalese) supports the government's war on terror
(87.3%) and approves its rule of law (84.4%). According to The World
Factbook of the CIA, Sinhalese consist of 73.8% of the total Sri Lankan
population.
On the other hand, the poll also reveals how a significant segment of
the main minority ethnic groups too (contrary to popular beliefs) approve
the government's performance in conducting the war and in preservation
of law and order: while 42% of the Muslim community and 21% of the non-upcountry
Tamil community are satisfied with the law & order situation of
the country, respectively 49.8% (Muslims) & 20% (non-upcountry Tamils)
are pleased with the way in which the government is fighting the battle
with the terrorists. This proves that the great majority of the Sri
Lankan population is behind the government in its campaign against terror.
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) which carried out the survey
is an internationally known non-governmental organization. It is primarily
focused on issues of governance and conflict resolution in Sri Lanka.
The work of the CPA involves a major research component and its publications
are in general very critical of the present government and its anti
terrorist war. The Centre for Policy Alternatives is headed by Dr. Paikiasothy
Saravanamuttu.
The findings of the CPA survey are published in The Nation on 16-12-2007
under the title "Paradise percentages". Given below are extracts
from this report.
Paradise percentages
A total of 57.1% of the Sinhalese and 30.2% of Sinhalese say they are
'very satisfied' and 'somewhat satisfied' with President Rajapaksa's
conduct of the war. This adds up to a total of 87% from the majority
community satisfied, while half the minority Muslims are satisfied about
the conduct of the war with 42.3% 'somewhat satisfied' and 7.5% 'very
satisfied.' Interestingly, a fifth (20%) of the minority Tamil community
(not upcountry) has also shown they are satisfied with the conduct of
the war.
Of the law and order situation, too, 40% Sinhalese are 'very satisfied'
and another 44.4% is 'somewhat satisfied' with the government's performance.
Nearly 42% Muslims and 21% Tamils are satisfied with the law and order
situation.
These figures were obtained from a poll conducted by Social Indicator,
the survey research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The results of the November 2007 survey reflects the opinion of Sri
Lankans who live in eight provinces (excluding the North, East included)
on issues such as war, peace, security, the economy, human rights, media
freedom, corruption, balances of military power and so on and so forth.
The survey was conducted amongst a sample of 1600 randomly selected
individuals during the period November 12-26. It should be noted here
that due to the security conditions of the country and the sensitive
nature of the survey, the Tamil sample was chosen using a non-random
sampling technique. Interviews were conducted by Social Indicators,
highly trained field researchers involved in this study since its inception.
The results of the Sinhala, Muslim and Upcountry Tamil communities are
subject to a 3% error margin. Social Indicator has released the findings
in a graphical format in its topline report available online at www.cpalanka.org/polling.html.
The report is presented in a descriptive format due to the possibility
of multiple interpretations and analyses of the findings.
http://www.nation.lk/2007/12/16/militarym.htm
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